France’s squad for the 2022 World Cup has been announced – and the starters are unnamed stars like Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante and now, Karim Benzema too.
The Real Madrid striker – and recent Ballon d’Or winner – will be out after pulling out of the France squad on the eve of the tournament with a thigh injury.
RB Leipzig’s highly rated striker Christopher Nkunku also pulled out with injury shortly before the World Cup opener, being replaced by Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani.
So what can we expect from Didier Deschamps?
The France team that lifted the World Cup in Russia was a paradox. Too defensive, say critics – yet they set a record 11 goals in the knockout stage, including four in the final. Unnecessarily cautious, critics slammed – but here comes Benjamin Pavard, rushing from right-back to score the FIFA tournament goal in an absurd 4-3 win over Argentina.
The idea that Les Bleus’ 2018 vintage lacked identity is wrong, their identity was simply to win. Molded in the image of serial winner Didier Deschamps, their manager, they were a chameleon team, adopting the right game-by-game strategy to progress through the rounds.
Since that glorious day in Moscow, there has been the disappointment of an unexpected exit from Euro 2020, losing to Switzerland on penalties in the Round of 16, but also a reminder of France’s quality at its best. , winning the Nations League final last October. After leading Belgium 2-0 at half-time in the semi-finals before coming back to win 3-2, they came from behind to defeat Spain in the showpiece in Milan with goals from Kylian Mbappe and the timeless Karim Benzema, brought back from the international wilderness. Victory boosted their competitive edge before the real deal in Qatar.
Many key artists from 2018 are still an integral part of this side. It’s understandable given their pedigree, but there’s also a legitimate concern that several of these regular starters – Raphael Varane, Oliver Giroud, Antoine Griezmann to name just three – are no longer at the elite level required to win. consecutive World Cups. . Griezmann, for example, is now used almost exclusively as a supersub by Atletico Madrid. Meanwhile, France’s Nations League title defense quickly turned into a relegation battle with defeats to Croatia and Denmark both home and away.
In the face of such doubts is the emergence of a talented new group – led by William Saliba and Aurelien Tchouameni – who could work their way into Deschamps’ starting XI once the action gets underway. It’s the job of the punctual water carrier to find the right balance, while getting results.
To a certain extent, Qatar 2022 could mark a passing of the baton for France. They will always be among the favorites, regardless of their line-up.
Final team
France team World Cup 2022: The full team
- G: Hugo Lloris, Tottenham
- GK: Alphonse Areola, West Ham
- GK: Steve Mandanda, Rennes
- Defender: Benjamin Pavard, Bayern Munich
- Defender: Jules Kounde, Barcelona
- Defender: Raphael Varane, Manchester United
- Defender: Theo Hernandez, AC Milan
- Defender: Lucas Hernandez, Bayern Munich
- Defender: Benoit Badiashile, Monaco
- Defender: Ferland Mendy, Real Madrid
- Defender: Dayot Upamecano, Bayern Munich
- Defender: Ibrahima Konaté, Liverpool
- Defender: William Saliba, Arsenal
- MF: Eduardo Camavinga, Real Madrid
- FM: Youssouf Fofana, Monaco
- FM: Matteo Guendouzi, Marseille
- MF: Aurelien Tchouameni, Real Madrid
- MF: Adrien Rabiot, Juventus
- MF: Jordan Veretout, Marseille
- AT: Ousmane Dembele, Barcelona
- AT: Olivier Giroud, AC Milan
- AT: Antoine Griezmann, Atletico Madrid
- Attacker: Kylian Mbappé, PSG
- AT: Randal Kolo Muani, Eintracht Frankfurt
- AT: Kingsley Coman, Bayern Munich
France top scorers
France top scorers
2 goals: Olivier Giroud
1 goal: Kylian Mbappé, Adrien Rabiot
France yellow cards
France yellow cards
France have yet to receive a yellow card.
Administrator
Who is France’s coach for the 2022 World Cup?
As an arch-pragmatic and excellent man-manager, Didier Deschamps is well suited to the rapid challenges of a tournament. His composure, his ability to adapt and his experience will be decisive. He is also one of only three men to have won the World Cup as a player and manager, and after a decade in charge his desire for further honors remains strong.
star player
Who is France’s star player for the 2022 World Cup?
Kylian Mbappe scored four goals at Russia 2018 and became the first teenager since Pelé 60 years earlier to score in a World Cup final. At 23, the PSG star is now an even more complete finisher and better all-around footballer, and he’s driven by a desire to put things right after his missed penalty in France’s shock defeat to Switzerland in Euro 2020.
How many players is France allowed to take to the 2022 World Cup?
National managers were allowed to bring 26 players to last summer’s European Championship for the first time at a major tournament, as a special measure introduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It has now been announced that 26-man squads will return for the Qatar World Cup, an extension of the usual 23-man squads.
